Get the kettle on. Err no

[Weloveoptimus]

Said to me on the phone by the bloke coming to collect an item he’s buying from me through EBay.
He’s coming round this morning.
I don’t want to put the bloody kettle on! Is this normal?
I wouldn’t dream of asking this of someone I’ve not met.

I still find it weird from a stranger and i definitely wouldn't be letting them into my house

In my experience, it has never been an expression and people have always wanted a drink on arrival when that has been said to me. In fact, some of DH's friends walk in the house saying "get the kettle on". It really winds me up.
That's just my experience though.

Has he been yet? Is he eyeing up your biscuit tin as we speak?!

I’d take it as just a friendly expression, too.

In fact, I’d be tempted to have a cup of tea ready for him, just to tease - I bet he’d be horrified

I think it slipped out, I am absolutely sure he didn't actually mean it or expected you as a woman to serve it.

Happy to be proved wrong though, in which case I will be absolutely outraged on your behalf

I'm in the Midlands and it's definitely an expression here, and more common the further north you go. People say it to me despite knowing I don't even have hot drinks in the house.

Sad world when an innocent expression can be taken to be some sort of power play.

Necromuda in cases like that if I don't ignore I'd say that I'll put the kettle but they can make us all a tea.

It would wind me up too.

Open door to him. Take money. Close door. Get tv, hand to him, close door.

Weird and rude to say what he did.

Placemarking to see if he does actually demand a cup of tea I'd be bemused too op, never heard this before!

The owner of my building once was getting some work done on the other ground floor flat (next to mine) and one of the builders banged on my window and said "Could you give me a drink?" Note the lack of please. I don't know why I gave him the water, but he did at least say thank you. I'd have said 'What's the magic word?' now, but I have grown bolshy in my old age!!

Yeah I think I’ll put the item inside the garage then he hasn’t an excuse to come in.

Why would he come in anyway? Whenever people collect here (and at other people's houses) the whole think happens on the doorstep wherever possible. Only difference is when the item is already in the garden or garage. They never come in the actual house anyway.

It's not just an innocent expression, for fuck's sake. Do you really think he'd say the same thing to another male?

OP, when he arrives do not be polite with him, feel free to be as sharp and prickly as possible. That'll teach him for seeing women as nothing but domestic maids.

He’s been! I’m sure it must have been Ian McShanes dad! He came complete with a medallion and open shirt I’m not joking.
I had it ready by the door and when I heard him pull up I took it outside.
He did try to reduce it further by saying he might have some more change in the van (got the impression he expected me to say oh it’s ok about the few quid) but I’d already accepted a best offer so he got a bargain.
He’s putting the TV in his motor home.
I did NOT invite him in lol.

Mr daughter (then aged 19) bought a computer from ebay and the seller ofered to deliver it. His user name was Casanova, or something similar. She thought it was dodgy, I thought it was very dodgy - so she emailed him back to say that she would be out but her mum would be in. Suddenly it wasn't convenient to deliver it" There really are some chancers about!

If he asks when he does come round, just laugh and say 'No, won't be doing that. Let's get on'.

I must add that when he was arranging collection, I said I could be in when he was calling as I’m on holiday (work in a school) and he said “oh so you don’t do much then, working in a school”
This did rile me alittle...

I’m northern and do not use or know anyone that uses ‘put the kettle on’ as a common pleasantry.

You don’t have to give a shit about someone else’s feelings where they’ve made it plain they don’t care about yours. Unless you live under a rock and have never held down a job you should know basic pleasantries that are inoffensive to all. It’s not difficult.

Women make excuses for men all the time. It’s incredibly wearing.

holy this man may be a misogynist or a weirdo or both but I’ve said that to men AND women and had it said to me by both too
It’s hard to tell without having been there but the phrase itself is not unusual or offensive

Or just act like a grown up, laugh at the slightly incongruous comment, never think for one moment of making a cuppa tea, and take the money.

No drama.

A storm in a teacup!

Oh no op! Drip feeding.

Enjoy your tea!

This minor event would be enough to ensure some Mumsnetters lie in a cold dark room till the end of the year. So much ado about nothing. Even the drip-feed about you not doing much as you work in a school isn't really that big of an issue.

This is normal in the North, it just means “I’m on my way”.

Nope, it won’t suit me

He sounds sleazy OP.

Well done for not lowering the price!

This is normal in the North, it just means “I’m on my way”.

What, even the night before you're due somewhere? Doesn't that get confusing?